Forgotten man closing in on kick-starting his Rotherham United career

The centre-half joined the Millers for a significant fee during the January transfer window, but only made one appearance before injury and Covid-19 struck.

The former Blackpool man used the shutdown in last season to go under the knife on a hip problem, something that he has only just recovered from.

He has returned to training, but will need several practice matches before boss Paul Warne is ready to throw him in the rough and tumble of the Championship.

“He joined in training last week,” Warne revealed.

“He needs a few behind-closed-doors games to get him up to anywhere near speed.

“I wouldn't expect him to join the first-team squad any time soon. He's been out for six months.

“Most of the lads played in four or five pre-season games.

“I know we are going to have to 'microwave' him a bit but I'd expect him to be a good three to four weeks away.”

Warne is accumulating a bloated squad, with 26 senior players before the planned addition of a couple more.

With the introduction of 25-man squads in the Championship, Warne is hoping to be able to shed some of those on the periphery.

There has been no concrete interest in those players who would be allowed to leave, though Warne says the power lies with them.

“There have been a few polite sniffs - like 'Can you send us videos of this game and that game?',” the boss revealed.

“Fundamentally, the players hold all the cards. If they want to go somewhere else, they can. If they want to stay here and fight, they can. But some of them might find themselves out of the 25-man squad.

“That's not a position I want to see any of my players in.”

The Millers travel to Birmingham on Saturday afternoon, where they are still without Clark Robertson (quad).

Warne’s men have a win and a defeat so far to show for their season back in the Championship, while the Blues are as yet unbeaten in the league having registered a win and a draw.